Mr. Plumley was born and raised in Hamlin, West Virginia and enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1979. He completed ROTC at Marshall University in 1982 where he received his commission as an Ordnance Corps officer. He received his undergraduate degree in Business Education in 1983 and later completed a Masters in Logistics Management from Florida Institute of Technology in 1994.

He has served in a variety of military and civilian positions during his career with the Army. He began his active duty career with the 3rd Armored Division where he served as Assistant S2/3, Maintenance Platoon Leader, and Supply Platoon Leader in the 122nd Maintenance Battalion, Hanau, Germany; Battalion Motor Officer, 426th Supply and Transportation Battalion, Armament Maintenance Officer and S3, 801st Maintenance Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, KY; Automotive Maintenance Division Chief, ACofS, Materiel, 19th TAACOM; Commander, HHC, Materiel Support Center-Korea; Armament Staff Officer, Director of Logistics, and Operations Officer at Watervliet Arsenal, Watervliet, NY; Plans Officer and Support Operations Officer, 20th Area Support Group, Korea; ACofS, G4 Materiel Officer, HQ, 101st Airborne Division, Brigade S4, 159th Aviation Brigade, and Support Operations Officer, 129th Corps Support Battalion, Ft. Campbell, KY; Chief, Junior ROTC Division, 2nd Region ROTC, Ft. Knox, KY; and completed his military career as the Deputy Commander, 20th Area Support Group, Daegu, Korea. He retired from the US Army on 31 May 2004 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. As a Department of the Army civilian, Mr. Plumley's previous positions include Director of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security and as the Installation Manager of Camp Carroll in USAG Daegu, Korea.

Military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (1 OLC), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3 awards), Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Korean National Defense Medal, Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge, and The Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe. Civilian decorations include the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service and Commander's Award.